Cycling UK Forum

Several bouts of hailstones here today, 15 miles south of Cambridge.

The ability to fit at least 40 c tyres if you want to do more offroad than smoothis gravel. If you want to future proof/ snazzy technology then look at a bikes with a pinion 12 speed idrive grearbox (eletronic/automatic gearshifting and minimal maintenance)

I recently switched from 175mm cranks to 160 mm cranks and I'm very happy with the new setup.

I've used similar to the above and https://www.amazon.co.uk/YuanYouTong-Mo ... 69&sr=8-60 for many years. I'd prefer the Amazon version because of less opportunity to interferre with the on button.

Mine have been rock steady even when riding at 'speed' over quite rough gravel.

You can't set the reach until you have positioned your saddle correctly. Read Colin531's pdf on bike fitting. The link is in the footer of any of his posts.

Back in Aug 2020 I took possession of the bits to build my second 'bike for life' (the first having been nicked out of the back of the car whilst parked overnight in Lincoln).

After much reading, testing of gear ranges I opted for a bike built up using a Pinion P1.18 gearbox (and a custom Ti frame and forks from Vigmos in Germany). The assembled bike was set up using 24 tooth front and rear chainring/ sprocket to give 15 to 95 gear inches in 18 steps of 11.5%. I fitted the bike with KMC E1 EPC coated chains. I've been rotating two chains and using hot wax lubrication. As of the beginning of April (2024) (around 3 1/2 years) the chains have done about 15,000 km.

Alas, yesterday I heard the first tinkle of a slack chain hitting the chain stay.

I'd have to say that I've been quite impressed with the EPC coated chains as they have remained looking like new for the whole of their life. For the first 2 1/2 years of use it wasn't possible to measure chainwear as I couldn't get the pins of my Park Tools chain tool between the links. The current wear is indicated to be between 0.25 and 0.5%.

Chain Wear
Comparison of old chain (Left) and New chain (Right) Before this bike I was using a 10 speed chainset and despite a rigourous cleaning and relubrication schedule (rotating 5 chains) I was only getting about 1000km from a chain.

And yes. The Pinion gearbox is a delight to ride. The only thing I would replace it with would be the Pinion Motor/gearbox combination (fortunately a few years off yet).

Using the lower pedal when the cranks are aligned with the seatube

Start here

https://wheel-easy.org.uk/wp-content/up ... -2017a.pdf

A a quick start position is that your leg should be straight when you are sat on the saddle with your heel on the pedal.

The request is to absolve the company of blame if you cannot keep up with the group you are assigned to ( I.e. insurance against macho pig headedness). So just pick a speed that won't bore you, but is a comfortable ride for you and which allows you to have a good look around, which is the whole point of a tour.

Actually much easier to hang by the back wheel. (Idea cribbed from Scotrail bike storage on trains)
Pick up the bike by the frame, both hands share the load, hook the back wheel. Better than having the front wheel waving about trying to hook the wheel without scratching the car, or wiping your trousers over the filthy car.

Actually a great idea, especially for multiple bikes, front wheel, back wheel makes for denser storage and simpler than alternating the height of the hooks

Large plastic coated metal hook screwed into the garage wall available for a fiver or less from your local DIY/Amazon. Hang the bike by the front wheel. Arrangement should be so that bike is side on to bonnet.

Job done and working well. First attempt with an aluminium extender didn't work because of the limited space on the seatpost. Rummaging in my bits box turned up a forgotten cheap plastic extender which proved perfect for the job.

Ooooh. Guess what I'm doing tomorrow morning.

I have a new saddle, a Selle SMP Nymber. Its vey comfy. Unfortunately, the seating area, with respect to the rails, is much further back than my previous saddle(s). Consequently, what used to be an occasion touch of the rear of my thigh by my saddle pack is now a constant rub. I have invested in a top tube bag (fits underneath top tube) which I'm not liking so I now need to investigate ways of moving the Topeak Saddle bag further back.

Suggestions welcome.

I was recommended Superlube Synthetic Grease when I was using Royce hubs.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Synthetic-Grea ... 71&sr=8-10

You will likely have to top up the grease every month or so as the grease will leak out due to overfilling (getting enough in to quieten the hub). I didn't mind this.